criminal-defense , criminal-law

What Happens When You Get a DUI?

What Happens When You Get A DUI?

What Happens When You Get a DUI?

Getting a DUI can be a scary and confusing experience, especially when you don’t know your rights. An experienced criminal defense lawyer breaks down everything you need to know if you get arrested for driving under the influence.

Different Types of DUI Tests

In Michigan, several types of DUI tests are used to determine if you are driving under the influence of alcohol. These tests include field sobriety tests, preliminary breath tests, implied consent testing (blood, urine, or chemical breath tests), and blood draws after implied consent refusal.

Are DUI Tests Mandatory in Michigan?

While not all DUI tests are mandatory, refusing them can have serious consequences.

Penalties for DUI offenses in Michigan

In Michigan, it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a bodily alcohol content (BAC) of .08. Michigan also has a high-BAC law with enhanced penalties for those caught driving with a BAC of .17 or above. If you are under 21 years of age, you cannot have any alcohol in your system.

The penalties for a DUI depend on whether your BAC is below .17 (the super drunk limit) and the number of offenses you’ve already committed.

First offense

If this is your first offense and your BAC is BELOW .17, the penalties you could face are:

If this is your first offense and your BAC is .17 or HIGHER, these are the penalties you could face:

Second offense

If this is your second offense, these are the possible penalties:

Third offense

If this is your third offense, these are the possible penalties:

Does a DUI ever go away in Michigan?

First-time DUI offenses are eligible for expungement under Michigan’s recent expungement law. However, there are some stipulations for expungement. These include:

Talk to the Criminal Defense Lawyers at JAD Law

If you get arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to advocate for you. JAD Law is here to help. Contact JAD Law today to schedule an appointment.

JAD Law serves several counties across Metro Detroit, Michigan, including Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties.